Image display apparatus and support pin

ABSTRACT

An image display apparatus includes: a back frame disposed on a rear-surface side of a display panel; a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on a front-surface side of the back frame; a luminance uniforming plate which is disposed on a front-surface side of the plurality of LEDs to cover the plurality of LEDs, and makes uniform luminance of light emitted by the plurality of LEDs; a diffuser plate which is disposed on a front-surface side of the luminance uniforming plate, and diffuses light transmitted through the luminance uniforming plate; and a support pin which is fixed to the back frame, extends to penetrate through the luminance uniforming plate, and has a tip end that supports the diffuser plate. The tip end of the support pin has a shape of a convex curve.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2018/004002 filed on Feb. 6, 2018,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/456,939filed Feb. 9, 2017 and Japanese Application No. 2017-161526 filed onAug. 24, 2017, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an image display apparatus including adisplay panel such as a liquid-crystal cell, and a support pin includedin the image display apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

One example of an image display apparatus such as a liquid-crystaldisplay apparatus includes a light source unit which emits light towarda display panel such as a liquid-crystal module, a luminance uniformingplate (light conductive reflector) which makes uniform luminance of thelight emitted by the light source unit, a diffuser plate which diffusesthe light of which the luminance is made uniform by the luminanceuniforming plate, and a back frame which holds the display panel, thelight source unit, the luminance uniforming plate, and the diffuserplate.

In addition, the image display apparatus as described above may include,behind the diffuser plate, a plurality of support pins for keeping theposition of the diffuser plate (see, for example, Patent Literature(PTL) 1). The plurality of support pins are disposed on the back frameand penetrate through the luminance uniforming plate, thereby supportingthe diffuser plate.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2015-176780

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The present disclosure provides an image display apparatus and a supportpin which are capable of inhibiting luminance unevenness due to thesupport pin.

Solutions to Problem

An image display apparatus according to the present disclosure includes:a back frame disposed on a rear-surface side of a display panel; aplurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on a front-surfaceside of the back frame; a luminance uniforming plate which is disposedon a front-surface side of the plurality of LEDs to cover the pluralityof LEDs, and makes uniform luminance of light emitted by the pluralityof LEDs; a diffuser plate which is disposed on a front-surface side ofthe luminance uniforming plate, and diffuses light transmitted throughthe luminance uniforming plate; and a support pin which is fixed to theback frame, extends to penetrate through the luminance uniforming plate,and has a tip end that supports the diffuser plate. In the image displayapparatus, the tip end of the support pin has a shape of a convex curve.

In addition, the support pin according to present disclosure is asupport pin included in an image display apparatus that includes: a backframe disposed on a rear-surface side of a display panel; a plurality oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on a front-surface side of theback frame; a luminance uniforming plate which is disposed on afront-surface side of the plurality of LEDs to cover the plurality ofLEDs, and makes uniform luminance of light emitted by the plurality ofLEDs; and a diffuser plate which is disposed on a front-surface side ofthe luminance uniforming plate, and diffuses light transmitted throughthe luminance uniforming plate. The support pin is fixed to the backframe, extends to penetrate through the luminance uniforming plate, andincludes a support which has a tip end that supports the diffuser plate,and the tip end of the support has a shape of a convex curve.

Advantageous Effect of Invention

With the present disclosure, it is possible to inhibit luminanceunevenness due to the support pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image display apparatusaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid-crystal moduleaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view which illustrates a schematic configuration of asupport pin according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view which illustrates a schematic configuration of thesupport pin according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view which illustrates a schematic configuration ofthe support pin according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a second portion according to theembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view which illustrates a base portion of asupport according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view which illustrates a schematic configuration of anopening portion of a back frame according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a process of aprocedure of assembling the support pin and the back frame according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a process of theprocedure of assembling the support pin and the back frame according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a pedestal of the support pin and the backframe according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view which illustrates a schematic configuration of anopening portion of another back frame according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view which illustrates a process of a procedure ofassembling the support pin and the other back frame according to theembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view which illustrates the pedestal of the support pinand the other back frame according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a positionalrelationship between the support pin and components disposed inproximity to the support pin, according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a positionalrelationship between a conventional support pin and components disposedin proximity to the conventional support pin.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The inventors have found the following problems with the conventionalimage display apparatus. The conventional image display apparatus suchas a liquid-crystal television set includes a diffuser plate, aluminance uniforming plate, a reflection sheet, and an LED sheet whichare disposed between a display panel that is a liquid-crystal panel, forexample, and a back frame disposed on a rear-surface side of the displaypanel. In addition, a support pin is fixed to the back frame. Thesupport pin fixed to the back frame supports the diffuser plate when thesupport pin penetrates through the luminance uniforming plate.

The following describes a positional relationship between theconventional support pin and components arranged in proximity to theconventional support pin.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a positionalrelationship between conventional support pin 900 and componentsarranged in proximity to support pin 900. As illustrated in FIG. 16,reflection sheet 920 is disposed on a front-surface side of back frame910. A plurality of openings 922 for individually exposing a pluralityof LEDs 921 of an LED sheet are provided in reflection sheet 920.Luminance uniforming plate 930 is disposed on a front-surface side ofreflection sheet 920 with a predetermined space therebetween. Diffuserplate 940 is disposed on a front-surface side of luminance uniformingplate 930 with a predetermined space therebetween.

Support pin 900 is fixed to back frame 910. Support pin 900 extends topenetrate through luminance uniforming plate 930 in a state in whichsupport pin 900 is fixed to back frame 910, and has a tip end thatsupports diffuser plate 940. The tip end of support pin 900 is flat soas to maintain certain strength. However, with such a flat shape, lightL10 emitted from LED 921 is blocked by the tip end of support pin 900,leading to dark portion d produced above diffuser plate 940. As aresult, luminance unevenness is produced in an image display apparatus.

In view of the above, it might be considered that the amount of lightL10 blocked by support pin 900 can be reduced by thinning support pin900. However, by doing so, the strength of support pin 900 itself mightbe decreased, and thus there is a possibility that diffuser plate 940cannot be stably supported. There is also a possibility that support pin900 itself might be damaged.

The present disclosure has been conceived on the basis of suchunderlying knowledge, and as a result of earnest investigation, theinventors have conceived configurations of an image display apparatusand a support pin which are capable of inhibiting luminance unevennesscaused by the support pin while maintaining strength of the support pin.

The following describes an embodiment with reference to the drawings asnecessary. However, unnecessarily detailed description will be omittedin some cases. For example, there are instances where detaileddescription of well-known matter and redundant description ofsubstantially identical components may be omitted. This is to preventthe following description from being unnecessarily redundant and tofacilitate understanding of those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that the accompanying Drawings and subsequentdescription are provided by the inventors to allow a person of ordinaryskill in the art to adequately understand the present disclosure, andare thus not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter recitedin the Claims.

In addition, in the embodiment below, the Y-axis directions correspondto the up and down directions, the Z-axis directions correspond to theback and front directions, and the X-axis directions correspond to theright and left directions, for convenience of description. However, suchcorrespondences do not limit orientations of the image display apparatusaccording to present disclosure at the time of manufacturing or usage.In addition, in the description below, for example, an X-axis plus siderefers to the direction of arrow of the X-axis, and an X-axis minus siderefers to the side opposite to the X-axis plus side. The same holds truefor the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

The following describes the embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.15. First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a schematicconfiguration of an image display apparatus according to the embodimentwill be described.

(1-1. Schematic Configuration of Image Display Apparatus)

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of image display apparatus 10according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view ofliquid-crystal module 100 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, image display apparatus 10 according to thepresent embodiment includes liquid-crystal module 100, back cover 103,stand 250 which supports liquid-crystal module 100.

Liquid-crystal module 100 is a device which displays a still image andvideo, and includes display panel 102 and bezel 120 provided along aperipheral edge of display panel 102. According to the presentembodiment, display panel 102 is what is known as a liquid-crystal cell,and an element in which liquid crystal is contained between a pluralityof glass plates. Display panel 102 is controlled according to an imagesignal input to liquid-crystal module 100, and displays an image.Liquid-crystal module 100 including display panel 102 that is aliquid-crystal cell is referred to as, for example, a liquid-crystalmodule, etc., in some cases.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, bezel 120 is a component which has frontportion 121 located on a front-surface side of display panel 102, and isfixed to back frame 140 (see FIG. 2). In other words, bezel 120 is acomponent which protects periphery portions of elements such as displaypanel 102, etc., and forms a frame by front portion 121. According tothe present embodiment, for example, resin such as polycarbonate (PC) isemployed as a material of bezel 120. Bezel 120 and back frame 140sandwich the components from display panel 102 to back frame 140therebetween.

Back cover 103 is a component that covers a rear surface ofliquid-crystal module 100, and includes resin such as PC as with bezel120, or metal such as aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), etc. It should be notedthat back cover 103 may be a part of liquid-crystal module 100.

Liquid-crystal module 100 having the above-described configurationfurther includes: mold frame 130; optical sheet unit 105 including twoor three optical sheets; diffuser plate 106; luminance uniforming plate107; reflection sheet 108; LED sheet 109; relay sheet 110; back frame140; and support pin 200, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Mold frame 130 supports display panel 102. Mold frame 130 and back frame140 sandwich a plurality of components from optical sheet unit 105 toLED sheet 109 and relay sheet 110 (what is known as a backlight).

Optical sheet unit 105 has a configuration in which two or three typesof sheets having different optical properties are stacked. Optical sheetunit 105 includes, for example, a vertical prism sheet, a crosswiseprism sheet, a diffuser sheet, etc.

Diffuser plate 106 diffuses light emitted from a plurality of LEDs 1091(see FIG. 15) disposed on LED sheet 109. Luminance uniforming plate 107makes uniform luminance of the light which is emitted from the pluralityof LEDs 1091 disposed on LED sheet 109. Luminance uniforming plate 107is also referred to as Flatter (registered trademark), for example.Luminance uniforming plate 107 is a component in which a plurality ofopenings 107 a having different diameters (see FIG. 15) are provided.More specifically, in luminance uniforming plate 107, an opening with asignificantly small diameter is formed directly above each of theplurality of LEDs 1091. The diameter of openings increases with anincrease in distance from LED 1091. The above-described configurationallows luminance uniforming plate 107 to smooth distribution propertiesof light emitted from each of LEDs 1091.

Diffuser plate 106 further diffuses the light emitted from each of LEDs1091 and having distribution properties smoothed by luminance uniformingplate 107. Accordingly, diffuser plate 106 emits light with lessluminance unevenness.

Reflection sheet 108 is provided with openings 1081 (see FIG. 15, etc.)at positions corresponding to the plurality of LEDs 1091 disposed on LEDsheet 109. LED sheet 109 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) onwhich the plurality of LEDs 1091 are disposed. Of two main surfaces ofthe FPC, one surface on which the plurality of LEDs 1091 are disposed isprovided with a reflection layer. Of the two main surfaces of the FPC,the other surface is provided with a bonding layer. Relay sheet 110 isan FPC on which an electric path for supplying power, a control signal,etc., to the plurality of LEDs 1091 is formed. Relay sheet 110 isprovided with a reflection layer, as with LED sheet 109.

Back frame 140 is made of a thin sheet metal, and supports LED sheet 109and relay sheet 110. Back frame 140 is also referred to as a base plate,in some cases. More specifically, after LED sheet 109 and relay sheet110 are attached to back frame 140, reflection sheet 108 is applied toback frame 140 such that LEDs 1091 are exposed respectively from theplurality of openings 1081. Light emitted from each of LEDs 1091 isreflected by the reflection layer disposed above the FPC and reflectionsheet 108, and travels toward the Z-axis plus side.

Support pins 200 are mounted from above reflection sheet 108 such thatsupport pins 200 and back frame 140 hold reflection sheet 108therebetween. Support pins 200 extend to penetrate through luminanceuniforming plate 107 in a state in which support pins 200 are fixed toback frame 140, and support diffuser plate 106 at tips thereof.

Luminance uniforming plate 107 is provided with a plurality of openingsinto which support pins 200 are inserted, and support pins 200 areinserted into the respective openings.

Diffuser plate 106 is supported by the tips of support pins 200, andsupported by back frame 140 at the peripheral edge portion of diffuserplate 106.

Back frame 140 has one side including a cut-and-raised portion forhanging optical sheet unit 105. The one side of back frame 140 is anupper portion when image display apparatus 10 is installed. Opticalsheet unit 105 includes a tab having a rectangular opening to be engagedwith the above-described cut-and-raised portion.

In liquid-crystal module 100 having the above-described configuration,support pins 200 support diffuser plate 106 in such a manner thatappearance of dark portion d (see FIG. 16) is kept to a minimum.

(1-2. Configuration of Support Pin)

Next, support pin 200 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a front view which illustrates a schematic configuration ofsupport pin 200 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view whichillustrates a schematic configuration of support pin 200 according tothe embodiment. FIG. 5 is a bottom view which illustrates a schematicconfiguration of support pin 200 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, support pin 200 is a resin componentwhich includes pedestal 210 to be fixed to back frame 140, and support220 extending from pedestal 210 toward the front-surface side of displaypanel 102.

Pedestal 210 includes first portion 211, second portion 212, andconnecting portion 213.

First portion 211 is a plate portion which has an elliptic shape in aplan view, and is in contact with first surface 142 of back frame 140.More specifically, in the longitudinal direction of first portion 211(X-axis direction according to the present embodiment), the centerportion of first portion 211 is thin, and the end portions of firstportion 211 are thick. As described above, since the center portion offirst portion 211 is thin, first portion 211 is easily bent at thecenter portion. First portion 211 includes, at the end portions thereof,a pair of claws 214 which engage with opening portion 141 formed in backframe 140. Each of the pair of claws 214 has a triangular shape in afront view as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the triangular shape of claw214, a side adjacent to the center portion of first portion 211 istilted to a smaller degree than a side adjacent to the end portion offirst portion 211. In addition, each of the pair of claws 214 has ahexagonal shape in a bottom view as illustrated in FIG. 5. Regions 215which are the end portions, other than the pair of claws 214, of firstportion 211 are in contact with first surface 142 of back frame 140.

Second portion 212 is a plate portion which has an elliptic shape in aplan view, and is in contact with second surface 143 of back frame 140.More specifically, the longitudinal direction of second portion 212 is adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of first portion211 (the Y-axis direction, according to the present embodiment). Secondportion 212 is disposed within the center portion of first portion 211in a plan view.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of second portion 212 according to theembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6, second portion 212 has surface 216which faces first portion 211. Surface 216 is stepped. Morespecifically, surface 216 has a center portion that protrudes from endportions. The end portions of surface 216 is lower-step surface 217, andthe center portion of surface 216 is upper-step surface 218. Space H2between lower-step surface 217 and region 215 of first portion 211 isgreater than space H1 between upper-step surface 218 and region 215 offirst portion 211. Back frame 140 and back frame 140 a are different inthickness, and each fitted in either space H1 or space H2 (see FIG. 11and FIG. 14). When back frame 140 or back frame 140 a is fitted in,first portion 211 and second portion 212 hold therebetween back frame140 or back frame 140 a in a thickness direction of back frame 140 orback frame 140 a. In other words, first portion 211 and second portion212 serve as a holding portion.

Connecting portion 213 is a rectangular column which connects firstportion 211 and second portion 212. Connecting portion 213 extends fromthe center portion of first portion 211 to upper-step surface 218 ofsecond portion 212. Connecting portion 213 is disposed in openingportions 141 and 141 a of back frames 140 and 140 a, respectively (seeFIG. 11 and FIG. 14).

As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, support 220 includes base portion221, middle portion 222, and tip portion 223.

Base portion 221 is an end portion of support 220 which is adjacent topedestal 210. Base portion 221 is connected to the center portion ofpedestal 210.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view which illustrates base portion 221 ofsupport 220 according to the embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 7 is across-sectional view taken along VII-VII indicated in FIG. 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, base portion 221 is formed radially about axis S1of support 220 when viewed in the axis direction of support 220. Morespecifically, base portion 221 is formed into a cross shape when viewedin the axis direction of support 220. Here, the two-dot chain lineindicated in FIG. 7 is virtual circle C having a diameter substantiallyequivalent to width W of base portion 221. The base portion of a supportmay have a cylindrical structure as indicated by virtual circle C, forexample. However, with base portion 221 which is formed radially, it ispossible to reduce materials while securing a certain level of strength.

It should be noted that base portion 221 may have a shape other than thecross shape, as long as base portion 221 is formed radially about axisS1 when viewed in the axis direction of support 220. Other examples ofthe shape of base portion 221 include, for example, a multiangular starshape, a Y-shape, etc.

Middle portion 222 is a portion between base portion 221 and tip portion223. Middle portion 222 includes, at an end portion adjacent to tipportion 223, fitting portion 224 which has a cylindrical shape and isfitted in opening 107 a of luminance uniforming plate 107. In addition,fitting portion 224 includes flange 225 at a position adjacent to middleportion 222. Flange 225 has an outer diameter larger than an outerdiameter of fitting portion 224. Flange 225 prevents luminanceuniforming plate 107 from moving toward base portion 221. In addition, aportion between flange 225 and base portion 221 in middle portion 222 isthinner than base portion 221.

Tip portion 223 is a portion supporting diffuser plate 106, and extendsfrom middle portion 222 in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, atip end of tip portion 223 has a shape of a convex curve, and the tipsupports diffuser plate 106.

In addition, slit 229 which is parallel to a ZX plane is formed from thetip of tip portion 223 to a position halfway to middle portion 222. Whentip portion 223 penetrates through opening 107 a of luminance uniformingplate 107, external force is applied to tip portion 223 from luminanceuniforming plate 107 via opening 107 a. Since tip portion 223 isrestrained by the external force, slit 229 is narrowed and tip portion223 is thinner as a whole. Accordingly, tip portion 223 penetratesthrough opening 107 a of luminance uniforming plate 107. In addition,tip portion 223 is released from restraint after tip portion 223penetrates through opening 107 a, and thus tip portion 223 elasticallyreturns to the original shape. At this time, fitting portion 224 isfitted in luminance uniforming plate 107 through opening 107 a.

(1-3. Assembling of Support Pin and Back Frame)

Next, assembling of support pin 200 and back frames 140 and 140 a willbe described.

Here, back frames 140 and 140 a differ in thickness. More specifically,back frame 140 has a thickness corresponding to space H2, and back frame140 a has a thickness corresponding to space H1. In other words, backframe 140 has a greater thickness than back frame 140 a.

(1-3A. Back Frame 140)

First, opening portion 141 of back frame 140 will be described. FIG. 8is a plan view which illustrates a schematic configuration of openingportion 141 of back frame 140 according to the embodiment. Openingportion 141 is a through-hole elongated in the X-axis direction. Openingportion 141 includes first engagement opening 1411, second engagementopening 1412, and intermediate opening 1413. First engagement opening1411 and second engagement opening 1412 are end portions of openingportion 141 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, firstengagement opening 1411 and second engagement opening 1412 are a pair ofedge portions located at opposing positions in the longitudinaldirection. Intermediate opening 1413 is a portion between firstengagement opening 1411 and second engagement opening 1412.

First engagement opening 1411 is one end of opening portion 141 in thelongitudinal direction. First engagement opening 1411 protrudes, in arectangular shape, from one end of intermediate opening 1413. One of thepair of claws 214 of support pin 200 engages with first engagementopening 1411.

Second engagement opening 1412 is the other end of opening portion 141in the longitudinal direction. Second engagement opening 1412 protrudes,in a rectangular shape, from the other end of intermediate opening 1413.Second engagement opening 1412 protrudes to have a longer protrusionlength than a protrusion length of first engagement opening 1411. Theother of the pair of claws 214 of support pin 200 is guided into secondengagement opening 1412 and engages with second engagement opening 1412.In addition, second engagement opening 1412 has a width same as width W1of upper-step surface 218 of second portion 212, and upper-step surface218 is fitted in second engagement opening 1412 (see FIG. 11).

Intermediate opening 1413 has a size that allows second portion 212 ofsupport pin 200 to penetrate through in a non-contact manner. The otherend of intermediate opening 1413 has an oblique shape in a plan viewsuch that the width of intermediate opening 1413 gradually decreasestoward second engagement opening 1412. The other end of intermediateopening 1413 serves as a guide portion for guiding upper-step surface218 of second portion 212 into second engagement opening 1412 at thetime of attaching support pin 200 into opening portion 141

Next, a procedure of attaching support pin 200 into opening portion 141of back frame 140 will be described.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory diagrams which illustrate a processof the procedure of assembling support pin 200 to back frame 140according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view of pedestal 210 ofsupport pin 200 and back frame 140 according to the embodiment. Itshould be noted that only back frame 140 is illustrated in across-sectional view in FIG. 11.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 9, an operator inserts the other of thepair of claws 214 of support pin 200 into second engagement opening 1412of opening portion 141, and inserts second portion 212 into intermediateopening 1413. At this time, the operator bends the center portion offirst portion 211 of support pin 200, thereby facilitating theabove-described inserting operation.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the operator slides the otherof the pair of claws 214 along second engagement opening 1412, andthereby moves the other of the pair of claws 214 to a tip end portion ofsecond engagement opening 1412. By doing so, the one of the pair ofclaws 214 also enters and engages with first engagement opening 1411.

In addition, when the other of the pair of claws 214 is slid, the otherend of intermediate opening 1413 guides upper-step surface 218 of secondportion 212 to second engagement opening 1412. Upper-step surface 218 iseventually fitted in second engagement opening 1412, as illustrated inFIG. 11. In this state, back frame 140 is fitted in space H2. Morespecifically, region 215 of first portion 211 is in contact with firstsurface 142 of back frame 140, and lower-step surface 217 of secondportion 212 is in contact with second surface 143 of back frame 140.Accordingly, the holding portion (first portion 211 and second portion212) holds back frame 140 between first portion 211 and second portion212 in the thickness direction.

(1-3B. Back Frame 140 a)

Next, opening portion 141 a of back frame 140 a that is a back framedifferent from back frame 140 will be described. FIG. 12 is a plan viewwhich illustrates a schematic configuration of opening portion 141 a ofback frame 140 a according to the embodiment. Opening portion 141 a isdifferent from opening portion 141 in that enlarged-width area 1414 a isincluded in second engagement opening 1412 a. Accordingly, in thedescription below, the same portions as opening portion 141 are assignedwith the same reference signs, and the description for the same portionswill be omitted.

Second engagement opening 1412 a includes, at an end portion adjacent tointermediate opening 1413, enlarged-width area 1414 a which has a widthgreater than the other portion of second engagement opening 1412 a. Thewidth of enlarged-width area 1414 a is the same as width W2 ofconnecting portion 213 such that connecting portion 213 is fitted inenlarged-width area 1414 a (see FIG. 14).

Here, support pin 200 is also attached to back frame 140 a according toa procedure same as or similar to the above-described procedure appliedto back frame 140.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of pedestal 210 which illustrates a state afterback frame 140 a and support pin 200 are assembled together, accordingto the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a side view of pedestal 210 of support pin200 and back frame 140 a according to the embodiment. It should be notedthat only back frame 140 a is illustrated in a cross-sectional view inFIG. 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, after assembling, connectingportion 213 is fitted in enlarged-width area 1414 a. In this state, backframe 140 a is fitted in space H1. More specifically, region 215 offirst portion 211 is in contact with first surface 142 a of back frame140 a, and upper-step surface 218 of second portion 212 is in contactwith second surface 143 a of back frame 140 a. Accordingly, the holdingportion (first portion 211 and second portion 212) holds back frame 140a between first portion 211 and second portion 212 in the thicknessdirection.

It should be noted that, although the case where the longitudinaldirection of opening portions 141 and 141 a is the X-axis direction isdescribed as an example, the longitudinal direction of opening portions141 and 141 a may be arbitrarily arranged in the XY plane.

(1-4. Positional Relationship Between Support Pin and SurroundingComponents)

The following describes a positional relationship between support pin200 and components disposed in proximity to support pin 200, afterassembling, according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a positionalrelationship between support pin 200 and components disposed inproximity to support pin 200, according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, reflection sheet 108 is disposed on afront-surface side of back frame 140. A plurality of openings 1081 forindividually exposing a plurality of LEDs 1091 of LED sheet 109(illustration omitted) are provided in reflection sheet 108. Luminanceuniforming plate 107 is disposed on a front-surface side of reflectionsheet 108 with a predetermined space therebetween. Diffuser plate 106 isdisposed on a front-surface side of luminance uniforming plate 107 witha predetermined space therebetween.

Support pin 200 includes support 220 which extends to penetrate throughluminance uniforming plate 107 in a state in which support pin 200 isfixed to back frame 140. Support 220 includes fitting portion 224 whichis fitted in opening 107 a of luminance uniforming plate 107. Inaddition, a tip end of tip portion 223 of support 220 has a shape of aconvex curve, and thus is in point contact with diffuser plate 106. Inthis manner, since the tip end of support pin 200 is in point contactwith diffuser plate 106, light L emitted by LED 1091 is less likely tobe blocked, and thus it is possible to inhibit production of darkportion d (see FIG. 16) which is often seen with the conventionaltechniques.

(1-5. Advantageous Effect, and Others)

As described above, image display apparatus 10 according to the presentembodiment includes: back frame 140 or 140 a disposed on a rear-surfaceside of display panel 102; a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)1091 disposed on a front-surface side of back frame 140 or 140 a;luminance uniforming plate 107 which is disposed on a front-surface sideof the plurality of LEDs 1091 to cover the plurality of LEDs 1091, andmakes uniform luminance of light emitted by the plurality of LEDs 1091;diffuser plate 106 which is disposed on a front-surface side ofluminance uniforming plate 107, and diffuses light transmitted throughluminance uniforming plate 107; and support pin 200 which is fixed toback frame 140 or 140 a, extends to penetrate through luminanceuniforming plate 107, and has a tip end that supports diffuser plate106. The tip end of support pin 200 has a shape of a convex curve.

In addition, support pin 200 according to the present embodiment isfixed to back frame 140 or 140 a, extends to penetrate through luminanceuniforming plate 107, and includes support 220 which has a tip end thatsupports diffuser plate 106, and the tip end of support 220 has a shapeof a convex curve.

According to the above-described configuration, since the tip end ofsupport pin 200 which supports diffuser plate 106 has a shape of aconvex curve, and thus the tip end of support pin 200 is in pointcontact with diffuser plate 106. It is thus possible to reduce theamount of light L blocked by support pin 200, making it possible toinhibit luminance unevenness. In addition, since support 220 does nothave to be thinned as a whole, it is also possible to maintain thestrength of support 220. As a result, it is possible to inhibitluminance unevenness caused by support pin 200 while maintaining thestrength of support pin 200.

In addition, a plurality of support pins 200 support luminanceuniforming plate 107 in a state in which the plurality of support pins200 penetrate through luminance uniforming plate 107. There areinstances where accumulation of dimensional tolerances or installationerrors due to individual variability among support pins 200 causesslight misalignment in positional relationships between the plurality ofopenings 107 a of luminance uniforming plate 107 and the plurality ofsupport pins 200. When the plurality of support pins 200 are attached toluminance uniforming plate 107 while there is such misalignment, somesupport pins 200 may be tilted in some cases. Even when support pin 200is tilted, the tip end of support pin 200 has a shape of a convex curve,and thus the tip end of support pin 200 is in point contact withdiffuser plate 106. It is thus possible to inhibit luminance unevennesseven when support pin 200 is tilted. Moreover, as described above, sincethe strength of support pin 200 is maintained, support pin 200 is lesssusceptible to damage even when external force in a direction in whichsupport pin 200 is tilted is applied to support pin 200.

In addition, support pin 200 includes: pedestal 210 fixed to back frame140 or 140 a; and support 220 which includes the tip end, and extendsfrom pedestal 210 toward a front-surface side of display panel 102.Support pin 200 includes, between pedestal 210 and a part (fittingportion 224) at which support 220 is fitted in luminance uniformingplate 107, a portion (portion between flange 225 and base portion 221)formed thinner than remaining portions (base portion 221) betweenpedestal 210 and the part.

According to the above-described configuration, since support 220includes a portion formed thinner between fitting portion 224 andpedestal 210 than the remaining portion between fitting portion 224 andpedestal 210, support pin 200 is easily elastically deformed at theportion formed thinner. As described above, when external force in adirection in which support pin 200 is tilted is applied to support pin200, the portion formed thinner is elastically deformed. In other words,the external force applied by luminance uniforming plate 107 is easilyabsorbed by support pin 200, and this it is possible to maintainplanarity of luminance uniforming plate 107.

In addition, support 220 has an end portion (base portion 221) adjacentto pedestal 210, the end portion being formed radially about an axis ofsupport 220 when viewed in an axis direction of support 220.

According to the above-described configuration, since base portion 221is formed radially, it is possible to reduce materials while securingthe strength of base portion 221.

In addition, the tip end of support 220 is split, and when support 220penetrates through luminance uniforming plate 107, the tip end isrestrained by luminance uniforming plate 107 and is thinner incomparison to a state before the tip end is restrained.

According to the above-described configuration, when restrained byluminance uniforming plate 107, support 220 having a split tip end isthinner in comparison to the state before support 220 is restrained. Itis thus possible to smoothly attach support pin 200 to luminanceuniforming plate 107.

In addition, pedestal 210 of support pin 200 includes a holding portion(first portion 211 and second portion 212) which holds back frame 140 or140 a between first portion 211 and second portion 212 in the thicknessdirection. A portion of the holding portion on which back frame 140 or140 a is disposed is stepped.

According to the above-described configuration, since the portion onwhich back frame 140 or 140 a is disposed in the holding portion isstepped, spaces H1 and H2 having different sizes are formed in theholding portion. With this, it is possible to apply a single support pin200 for back frames 140 and 140 a which are different in thickness. Itis thus possible to implement support pin 200 which is attachable toback frames 140 and 140 a which are different in thickness.

In addition, the holding portion includes: first portion 211 which is incontact with first surface 142 of back frame 140 or first surface 142 aof back frame 140 a; and second portion 212 which faces first portion211, and is in contact with second surface 143 of back frame 140 orsecond surface 143 a of back frame 140 a. At least one of first portion211 and second portion 212 is stepped.

According to the above-described configuration, since at least one offirst portion 211 and second portion 212 is stepped, it is possible toform spaces H1 and H2 which are different in size with a simpleconfiguration.

In addition, pedestal 210 includes a pair of claws 214 which engage witha pair of edge portions (first engagement opening 1411 and secondengagement opening 1412 or 1412 a) located at opposing positions inopening portion 141 of back frame 140 or opening portion 141 a of backframe 140 a.

According to the above-described configuration, since the pair of claws214 of pedestal 210 respectively engage with the pair of edge portionslocated at opposing positions in opening portion 141 or opening portion141 a, it is possible to stably secure pedestal 210 to back frame 140 or140 a.

(2. Other Embodiments)

As presented above, the embodiment has been described as an example ofthe techniques disclosed in the present application. However, thetechnique according to the present disclosure is not limited to theforegoing embodiment, and can also be applied to embodiments to which achange, substitution, addition, or omission is executed as necessary.Furthermore, it is possible to combine the structural componentsdescribed in the above-described embodiment, into a new embodiment. Inview of the above, the following describes other exemplary embodiments.

For example, an edge-lit backlight unit which emits light that isincident on an end surface of a light guide toward display panel 102from a front surface of the light guide may be included inliquid-crystal module 100.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, image displayapparatus 10 includes liquid-crystal module 100 as an apparatus whichdisplays a still image and video. However, the configuration ofliquid-crystal module 100 may be applied to, for example, a monitordisplay or the like for use in a personal computer.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where secondportion 212 of support pin 200 is stepped has been described as anexample. However, it is also possible to form the second portion in aflat shape, and form the first portion into a stepped shape.Alternatively, each of the first portion and the second portion may bestepped.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, resin such as PC isemployed for mold frame 130. However, metal such as steel use stainless(SUS) may be employed as a material for mold frame 130. When metal isemployed for four side (linear portions) of mold frame 130, four cornersmay be formed using resin rather than metal.

In addition, the stepped shape of support pin 200 may be defined bythree or more steps. With this, since three or more spaces which aredifferent in size are formed, it is possible to implement a support pinwhich can be applied to larger number of types of back frames.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where support220 includes a portion (i.e., a portion between flange 225 and baseportion 221) formed thinner between fitting portion 224 and pedestal 210than the remaining portion (base portion 221) between fitting portion224 and pedestal 210 has been described as an example. However, theportion (i.e., a portion between flange 225 and base portion 221) may beformed to have a width equal to or larger than a width of the remainingportion (base portion 221).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where baseportion 221 is formed radially has been described as an example.However, base portion 221 need not be formed radially. Other examples ofthe shape of the base portion include, for example, a polygonal shape, acircular shape, etc.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where support220 has a split end has been described as an example. However, support220 may have a shape without a split end.

As described above, exemplary embodiments have been described asexemplifications of the techniques according to the present disclosure.The accompanying Drawings and the detailed description have beenprovided for that purpose.

Accordingly, the structural components described in the accompanyingDrawings and the detailed description may include not only thestructural components which are essential for solving the problems butalso the structural components which are not essential for solving theproblems but used for exemplifying the above-described techniques. Assuch, description of these non-essential structural components in theaccompanying drawings and the detailed description should not be takento mean that these non-essential structural components are essential.

Moreover, since the above-described embodiments show examples of thetechniques according to present disclosure, various changes,substitutions, additions, omissions, and so on, can be carried outwithin the scope of the Claims or its equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to an image display apparatus whichincludes, for example, a support pin. More specifically, the presentdisclosure is applicable to a television receiver, a monitor display, adigital signage, a table-type display apparatus, etc.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An image display apparatus, comprising: aback frame disposed on a rear-surface side of a display panel, the backframe having a first surface on a front-surface side of the back frame,and a second surface opposite to, and parallel with, the first surface;a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on thefront-surface side of the back frame; a luminance uniforming plate whichis disposed on a front-surface side of the plurality of LEDs to coverthe plurality of LEDs, and makes uniform luminance of light emitted bythe plurality of LEDs; a diffuser plate which is disposed on afront-surface side of the luminance uniforming plate, and diffuses lighttransmitted through the luminance uniforming plate; and a support pinwhich is fixed to the back frame, extends to penetrate through theluminance uniforming plate, and has a tip end that supports the diffuserplate, wherein the tip end of the support pin has a shape of a convexcurve, the support pin includes: a pedestal which is fixed to an openingportion formed in the back frame; and a support which includes the tipend, and extends from the pedestal toward a front-surface side of thedisplay panel, the pedestal includes a first holding portion, and asecond holding portion and having an upper step surface that is onesingle flat surface and a lower step surface surrounding the upper stepsurface, the upper step surface being closer to the surface of the firstholding portion than the lower step surface, the first holding portionand the second holding portion sandwiches the back frame, and one of theupper step surface and the lower step surface is in contact with thesecond surface of the back frame when the first holding portion and thesecond holding portion sandwiches the back frame.
 2. The image displayapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support includes, betweenthe pedestal and a part at which the support is fitted in the luminanceuniforming plate, a portion formed thinner than remaining portionsbetween the pedestal and the part.
 3. The image display apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the support has an end portion adjacent tothe pedestal, the end portion has a cross-shaped form extending from anaxis of the support when viewed in an axis direction of the support. 4.The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tip end ofthe support is split, and when the support penetrates through theluminance uniforming plate, the tip end is restrained by the luminanceuniforming plate and is thinner in comparison to a state before the tipend is restrained.
 5. A support pin included in an image displayapparatus that includes: a back frame disposed on a rear-surface side ofa display panel; a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed ona front-surface side of the back frame; a luminance uniforming platewhich is disposed on a front-surface side of the plurality of LEDs tocover the plurality of LEDs, and makes uniform luminance of lightemitted by the plurality of LEDs; and a diffuser plate which is disposedon a front-surface side of the luminance uniforming plate, and diffuseslight transmitted through the luminance uniforming plate, the supportpin comprising: a pedestal which is fixed to an opening portion formedin the back frame; and a support which extends from the pedestal towarda front-surface side of the display panel to penetrate through theluminance uniforming plate, and has a tip end that has a shape of aconvex curve and supports the diffuser plate, wherein the pedestalincludes a first holding portion, and a second holding portion having anupper step surface that is one single flat surface and a lower stepsurface surrounding the upper step surface, the upper step surface beingcloser to the surface of the first holding portion than the lower stepsurface, the first holding portion and the second holding portionsandwiches the back frame, and one of the upper step surface and thelower step surface is in contact with the second surface of the backframe when the first holding portion and the second holding portionsandwiches the back frame.